– What do you mean you're my brother?! – A surprised Magatsu asks Baxter, who just had finished introducing himself.

– I mean what I said. – Baxter finishes his cake with a smile. – And we're only half brothers.

– So you're telling me Mag is that disgusting Yinsak's son?! – There was acid in Shinda's voice but Baxter didn't care as he nodded.

– We both are. As far as I know, he doesn't know I'm his son. And we're just two of his children. The bastard is a ladies man, so this happening is no surprise.

– Still, why did you get out of your way to tell me this? – Magatsu asks while scratching his head.

– I wanted to meet the good side of my family for a change.

– Good side? – Magatsu interrupts him, a bit surprised. – How's that?

– Eh, you know. My mother became an alcoholic after my father ditched her like he always does, so there was a lot of animosity between us. Yinsak is, well, Yinsak. And so far, the rest of the Astarosas have proven to be big-time dicks.

– How did you figure out I was "the good side of the family"? – Magatsu, still a bit skeptical, asks.

– It was a bet and I won. – He chuckles while unwrapping a lollipop. Magatsu sees it with beggar's eyes by accident. Baxter notices it and hands him one with a smile. – But what I really want are answers regarding Yinsak. Lucky for me, some of his old friends live here and one of them is someone you might know. Dedalus, I think.

– Two of them, you mean. – A familiar voice comes from behind. Disarm walks in with Juno right behind him. – What is your affair with Yinsak?

After explaining to him everything he told to Magatsu, Disarm rubs his chin with furrowed eyebrows.

– So you want to know more about that man... I'm not in the mood for that but I suppose I could tell you a few things. Not here though. Let's go to my house.

Everyone follows him. Shinda, Ramon, and Vanessa were interested so they went along.

Everyone settles down in his living room as Disarm asks Juno to prepare them something to drink.

– So – Disarm starts. – , what do you wanna know?

– Everything you're willing to tell me. And would you have something sweet for me to eat?

– Uh, sure, I guess. Juno, bring the cookies jar! – He shouts towards the kitchen before adjusting himself. – Well, first things first. Back in the day, I, Dedalus, and Yinsak used to be friends due to our passion for fighting. I and Dedalus wanted to have our own dojo from the beginning, but Yinsak wanted to go after his family for revenge.

– Revenge for what? – Magatsu asks.

– He never really talked about it with us, but from what I could see it was because he didn't have an easy life with them. His life schedule revolved around training. Mine and Dedalus' also did, but it was insane how far he would go to grow stronger. Eventually, we confronted him about his goals and he fought back. Things got ugly and he ran away, only showing up a few years later. When he came back, he attacked me. Luckily, we were pretty much comparable when it happened so it ended in a stalemate. That was 20 years ago.

Juno, now carrying a jar of juice and a small pot of cookies, serves everyone.

– Why would he do that?

– As if I knew. Resentment, I think?

– And after that? – Baxter asks, now biting a cookie whole.

– Nothing. 20 years passed and he showed up that day. Gotta say, he changed a lot from last time I saw him but he is still the same braggy bastard he was. That's how much I'm willing to tell you, so if you want more info, go after Dedalus. – He relaxes with a sigh and smiles widely and warmly. – Now, if you have something else to talk about, feel free to.

For the following thirty minutes or so, everyone asks Baxter about his life and other stuff. Magatsu grew a liking to him and his focus in his stories didn't allow him to see Juno sneakily approach him, soon being right next to him with a satisfied smile.

– Well – Baxter says while standing up and stretching. – , that was fun and all but I didn't come here to chit chat all day. I'm going.

– To visit my old man, right? – Shinda asks, also standing up. Baxter nods with a hum.

– I'm coming with you. – Magatsu says while also standing up. Ramon and Vanessa follow his lead.

– We have things to take care of, so don't mind us. See ya.

After saying their goodbyes, Magatsu, Baxter, and Shinda walk for a good while before reaching Dedalus' dojo, which was now empty. They walk in and are greeted by him.

– Oh, Baxter. I hope you found what you were looking for.

– Only half of it, actually. – He answers. – Which is why I'm here again.

He explains to him everything he was originally looking for and what he found out with Disarm. Dedalus nods after hearing what his friend had to say about Yinsak.

– That's about everything there is to know about Yin. Something I noticed that Disarm didn't tell you though is what kind of person he was.

– He did tell us he was a jerk much like he is now. – Magatsu points out. Dedalus scratches his beard with a thinking face.

– He wasn't perfect, but saying he was a jerk is a bit farfetched. Comparing him from then to now is an insult to who he used to be.

Now curious, Magatsu and Baxter gesture for him to continue.

– He was kind and cared for others, even if it was in his own way. Once, we three camped out in the wilderness and he mounted guard near our tents because there were rumors of bandits circulating around that area. He would never admit he did those things, but you could tell he liked being recognized for it. Come to think of it, Disarm never really supported him that much, so it's not a surprise that he always liked me over him.

– Not the Yinsak I met if you ask me. – Baxter jokingly says while crossing his arms. Dedalus nods.

– The man I once called a friend is long dead. I don't even know what he does nowadays. The most I got from him was Magatsu when I found out he was his son and that sure wasn't intentional. – After finishing, he moves his torso around for a bit. – Well, if that's what you wanted, I'll get going. There are a couple of things I need to get done with, so excuse me.

He then goes upstairs, leaving the trio behind.

– Well – Shinda stretches his right arm. – , that was fun and all but I have some training to do. Wanna join me, Mag?

– I'll pass. – He then looks to Baxter. – Will you stay for a bit longer, or...?

– I found what I came here looking for, but I'll stay in a hotel and leave tomorrow. – He grabs a candy from his pocket. – Where can I find one?

– You know – Magatsu starts. – , I don't think it'll be a problem if you stay at my house for the night.

– Won't your mom find weird that you just invited a stranger to sleep in her house? – Now chewing on his candy, he asks. Magatsu shrugs.

– She won't mind so long as we don't disturb her that much.

– Thanks, but I'll pass. In any case, thanks for everything, brother. – He emphasizes the word "brother" while rubbing Magatsu's hair. They both share a laugh and leave Shinda behind, who keeps stretching.

Once out and a few good meters away from D.'s dojo, Baxter realizes something.

– You know what? Now that I think about it, your mom sure must know something about Yinsak that Dedalus and Disarm missed, right? They said it themselves that they don't see the guy in 20 years.

– My mom has... a hard time talking about my father in any regard. – He scratches his head. – I don't think it'll be a good idea, especially after what he did last month.

Baxter does a confused face. Seeing it, Magatsu tells him about his arrival, spar, and, well, visit to Agatha's house.

– Did he actually kill someone? – He asks, shocked.

– The police argued about it being manslaughter, but that doesn't really change the fact that he did kill someone.

– Great. Another bad thing to add to the Astarosas' history.

– Now that I think about it, why do you care so much?

– I just want to know more about them. The only family I ever had was my mother and when I discovered my fatherly bloodline I had to meet them, you know? Too bad it has been nothing but disappointment so far. – He then smirks at Magatsu. – That is until I met you, of course.

– Of course. – Magatsu forces his voice to a more dramatic one. – Who wouldn't love me? – They both start laughing before Magatsu decides to lead him to his house. – Maybe my mom won't freak out if she sees how nice of a person you are.

During their not so long travel, Baxter eats a handful of cookies he snatched from under Disarm's nose. Once they reach Agatha's house, Magatsu asks.

– Where does it all go to? And why only sweets?

– I'm not big on salty food. – He says while shrugging. – I only have them as main dishes so I won't starve or whatever. I'll tell you this: nothing beats a good slice of homemade lemon pie.

– You can say that again. – Magatsu nods while unlocking his door. Once in, he shouts. – Mom! I brought a guest!

She comes from her room with a weird expression on her face before sighing and smiling politely. – Welcome. Make yourself home, Mr...

– Baxter. – Said man answers. – Baxter A-

Magatsu elbows his side hard enough to catch his attention with an "oof". – Let's avoid unnecessary issues with your last name, ok?

– What was that, son? – Agatha asks, to which Magatsu waves his hand.

– Nothing.

– Well, I'll go prepare you two something to eat, so wait for...

– No need. – Baxter cuts her. – We're full. A cup of juice will do.

– Oh, ok.

She eventually places three cups in the table in the living room and fills them with fresh pineapple juice. – I just made them.

– Delicious... – Baxter says with joy. – But in any case, I came here to talk with you about something, Mrs... Erm...

– Just Agatha, sweetie. – Magatsu's mother winks at him with a cute smile. The boys look at each other.

– Come on, mom. Cut it out. – Magatsu opens his hands while frowning. Despite this, he was smiling playfully, something his mother copied. Baxter just laughs at the situation.

– I think I'm a bit too young for you. No offense, of course. – Agatha smiles in return.

– Not at all. So, what is it that you wanted to talk about?

– It's about Yinsak.

The air tenses slightly as Agatha eyes Baxter suspiciously. She then sighs with a hint of sadness to it.

– I don't like talking about him, at all, but I think I could make an exception for you.

– What do you think of him? Or better yet, what do you use to think of him?

She ponders for a good while before taking a sip of her juice. – That is a hard question for me to answer. He... used to... Well...

– I know you don't want to admit it, mom, but there's only us here. – Magatsu reassures her. She sighs again before continuing.

– Yinsak used to be the man. Everything great about a man, he was. Kind, lovely, considerate. Yet, he knew when to be fierce and rough. Ah, the days... No man ever satisfied me like he did and to this day I still dream of his touch every now and then...

– Cut out some details, mom. – Magatsu bluntly says. Baxter shrugs while taking a long sip, finishing his cup.

– Sorry, honey. Nowadays, I think he is no more than a borderline psychopath and a murderer, but the man I met 16 years ago... Ah... – She loses herself in her memories before suddenly contorting her face into a snarl. – I can't wait to dance in his grave.

Slightly taken aback, Baxter widens his eyes. – Does she usually switch gears this quickly?

– You have no idea. – Magatsu takes another sip from his cup, finishing it, before serving himself and Baxter another fill.

– So, was that enough? – Agatha asks. Baxter nods.

– I'm done here. Thank you. – He stands up and offers a handshake. She takes it with a rather suggestive wink. Said young man just stares at her, a bit embarrassed.

– Mom! – Magatsu scolds Agatha, who laughs.

– I know, I know. Sorry about that. – Her voice didn't have regret in it.

Instead of leaving, however, she (somehow) convinces him to stay to chat for a bit more. He, not having much else to do, does stay and they spend the following hour or so talking about various stuff. Magatsu then checks the time and stands up.

– Going somewhere? – Agatha asks. He nods.

– Anywhere else. I wanna move a little.

– Ok. Have fun.

– What about you? – He asks Baxter.

– I'll stay for a bit longer before finding a hotel.

– You don't have to. – Agatha says. – You can sleep here if you want.

– Really?

– Yeah. You can choose to sleep with me or with Magatsu.

He looks to both of us before focusing on me. – I think I'll sleep in his room.

She sighs with a defeated smile. – Alright.

After that, Magatsu leaves for good and almost bumps into Sasha, who was about to knock the door.

– Oh, good afternoon, Mag. Going somewhere without greeting me first?

– Nowhere in particular. – He hugs her with a wide smile. Something inside them grows warm with the hug. – And you?

– I was thinking of us doing something fun tonight.

– I smell a date. – He jokingly says with a smug face. Sasha struggles a bit to hide her embarrassment as she pushes him. They both laugh.

– I guess you could say that... So, a movie at my house?

– Of course! – He answers, albeit a tad too fast as he forces a cough. – I mean, of course. – She chuckles at him.

They do some training together for the rest of the afternoon. Once evening kicks in, two sweaty friends go take a shower.

– You wouldn't mind coming in with me, would you? – Sasha asks him while punching his arm. He widens his eyes and blushes at the thought of being near her in such a situation. She bursts in laughter at his reaction and pulls her tongue out before entering the bathroom.

After they both are properly cleaned, she grabs some ice cream for them to eat despite the cold weather that night.

She picks a movie she had already watched, sits with him on the bed of her room, wraps a blanket around themselves and enjoys the sight she was actually looking for.

Many times before she found herself in a situation similar to this. Not a single time she went for the killing blow.

She didn't want it to happen again. Not tonight.

Focused on the movie, Magatsu only looks at her a few times with the corner of his eye. Every time he did it, both of them smiled quickly.

Right now, they were very close to one another for "just friends". Still, Sasha tries to push herself to even closer, forcing her chest against him. Magatsu notices this immediately and tries to hide an embarrassed face by focusing harder on the tv. He fails at maintaining it and ends up looking into her eyes.

– Something's wrong? – Sasha does a mockingly innocent tone while a smug expression forms in her face. Magatsu returns the taunt by hugging her shoulder tightly with one arm.

– Couldn't be better.

Both their hearts were racing as the sounds from the tv went further into the background. Her focus was on him and his focus was on her.

Nothing else mattered.

Then, slowly, she approached her face to his'. His eyes widened slightly but he soon follows her lead and does the same.

Soon, their lips touch gently. They recoil slightly for a second, then lose themselves in a long, deep kiss.

Both their minds go numb with the sensation as things go like this for another ten minutes, they only caring for how good doing this feels, neither of them wanting to let the other go. It's only when Sasha feels something inside her grow bigger and near-uncontrollable that she decides it would be better to stop.

She looks in his eyes. He is upset that she stopped and seems like he could kill to keep kissing her. She was embarrassed to admit why she did it, not wanting him to think wrong of her, so she comes up with a lie.

– Sorry, but we have school tomorrow, remember?

– Aw...

She turns the tv off and they hug each other to sleep, both with smiles on their faces.